HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT EAST HAWAII FIELD OPERATIONS MAJOR DAVID A. KAWAUCHI PHONE: 961-2345 MARCH 27, 2003

MEDIA RELEASE

Big Island police are reminding owners of off-road vehicles that riding their vehicles on public roads is against the law.

Major David A. Kawauchi, commander of East Hawaii Field Operations, said police have received numerous reports from residents complaining about all-terrain vehicles (ATV’s) and dirt bikes using public roads. Residents complain specifically that ATV’s and dirt bikes are tearing up dirt and gravel roads.

Kawauchi noted that it is illegal for ATV’s and dirt bikes to travel on public roads and highways.

In response to public complaints, he said, police islandwide will be cracking down on the illegal use of ATV’s and dirt bikes.

Kawauchi said patrol officers will focus on areas most cited by public complaints, particularly on the Government Beach Road (Route 137) between Honolulu Landing and the “Four Corners” area of lower Puna near the communities of Waa Waa, Hawaiian Beaches, Hawaiian Shores, Hawaiian Parks and Kapoho.